Graveslab in Rataine

The graveslab of Richard Bedlow (Bellew) dated 1601 and described by Conwell (1872-3, 381-2) as being on the floor of Rataine church (ME030-011----) is no longer present. Conwell describes it as: The inscription in a scroll of raised letter, with a point after each word, runs thus: HIC JACENT CORPORA /RICHARDI BEDLOW DE BEDLOWSTOWN QUI OBIIT X DIE MENSIS JANUARII 1601 AC ET / IAM CORPORA BINI FILII / EJUS VZ JACOBI BEDLOW ET THOMAE BEDLOW GENETA BROWN UXOR / EJUS HOC MONIME / NTUM STRUXIT. It will be observed that in giving the date the figure 6 has been reversed on the stone. In raised characters, on a shield, about the centre of the stone there is a fret for Bedlow, impaling an eagle displayed for Browne, with the initials R.B and G.B. over the shield. The script appears to have been gothic, and it can be roughly translated as: Here lies the body of Richard Bellew of Bellewstown (ME027-083----), who died the tenth day of January, 1601, also the body of his good son viz. Jacob Bellew, and Thomasina Bellew, born Brown, his wife erected this monument. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 5 January, 2015